Customs on stuff bought through the net

[rpm]

Hi guys

Has anybody else noticed that customs are getting very sticky about bringing anything into the country (through courier or post)? They are charging duties on books, electronic equipment and anything else bought through the net. Guess they realized there is a way to bring in some extra cash…

Regards,

RPM
rpm@myadsl.co.za

[podo]

CDs too... [:(]

Willie Viljoen
Web Developer

Adaptive Web Development

[freeek]

didn't they take that import duty away last year and thats why PC components prices dropped aswell

..- dot dot dash ;)

[BTTB]

Only if you are a Importer like Sahara or Rectron. Public pay 20%. I think it's 20%.

<b><hr noshade size="1"></b><font size="2"><font color="red"><b>You can take Telkom out of the Post Office but you can't take the Post Office out of Telkom.</b></font id="red"></font id="size2">

[neobyte]

I'm not too sure about electronic goods but for clothing, import duties is a steep 40%

[antowan]

Don't even try to pay for something on Ebay! South African credit cards are not welcome and when you go to the bank you run into a wall of paperwork. They call it exchange control. The poor guy from America was astounded to find me asking him for FAXES and proof of transactions etc. The price of my book (a collectable) was 5 times higher in the end than the asking price on Ebay... We are years behind the rest of the world! The more you try to be part of the world, the more you realise that you can't. Not because you are stupid or anything, but because our government and its minions doesn't understand it...

Cheerio

He who does not understand the value of war at the right time, cannot comprehend the value of life at any time - Anonymous

[martin]

I bought some DVD's of a tv series on amazon.com (7 seasons). The import duties were steep (around 20%) but it still worked out a couple of thousand rands cheaper (I kid you not) than buying all the seasons over here.

[CrazyMadMan]

SA u suck

Fantasy is what people want, reality is what they need.

[rpm]

I understand charging import duties on imports, but the red tape accompanying online purchases (like on eBay or Amazon) is problematic. Antowan’s example is one of many problems holding SA back. Very sad an irritating… The country is riddled with serious crimes, but one of the major concerns is whether you don’t sneak an academic book from Amazon through the mail without paying your 20% on it…

RPM
rpm@myadsl.co.za

[sss]

my mom got sent some pill by my sister its a whole pack of natural stuff and , equals R1200 worth of stuff, had to pay customs R800

i'm the gingerbread man!

[freeek]

its not always the governments fault, well not directly(they can create barriers to stop this from happening). Its our telkom like banks, if they weren't so greedy we cud of had paypal here as well.

does any1 know wat is special about twentytwenty ? can u, use that online account to buy things globally?

..- dot dot dash ;)

[Perdition]

Nothing special about them other than they don't (technically) have "brick n mortar" branches. They still need to adhere to the same banking laws as other banks in SA.

[pat22]

After working in the UK I wanted to buy a house here. I found a property, but my money was in UK. I phoned my UK bank who confirmed all I had to do was send a letter with instructions. I sent the letter via FedEx with the Rand value, attorney bank info etc..

My UK bank transferred the money to the attorney. House paid for. One letter.
Including FedEx and the telegraphic transfer time lag, it took 6 working days.

Now let's say I want to sell my house and move back to UK (which I do incidentally). I am reckoning on 50 pages of forms and weeks on queuing at least.... that is if they'll let me do what I want with MY MONEY!!

[TheRabbi]

pat22,

imagine how miff you are going to be when SARS catches up with you and you have to pay income tax on the money you just spent on your house ; )

[freeek]

hehe, we not so bad with vat in this country tho.

..- dot dot dash ;)

[James]

I am a big time Lord of the rings fan. Evrey Year come November I buy the Limited Edition Gift set(Eextended DVD, and Statuette book ends normally a free lord of the rings dvd as well). I always get them from Amazon as I pay 50quid for then, plus 5quid postage = +/- R650 including postage. last year they nobed me R180 luxury tax and vat and this and that. it is bull sh&%. Even still the same thing at excusive books/look and listen(only places i have seen them in SA) sell it for R1200.

I have a cell being sent to me at the moment from the UK. Does any one have any idea on the duties i might have to pay. It is wrapped up in christmas paper and labeled gift so hope the bastids don't even open it.

There is no peace without war!!!

[pat22]

I think cells and most electronics are 20%, maybe ad valoram as well of 10% + Plus VAT.

[freeek]

normally gifts are not charged. but you neva know hey

..- dot dot dash ;)

[asmith]

You should only have to pay VAT when importing computer goods

[rasputyn]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by freeek</i>
<br />its not always the governments fault, well not directly(they can create barriers to stop this from happening). Its our telkom like banks, if they weren't so greedy we cud of had paypal here as well.

does any1 know wat is special about twentytwenty ? can u, use that online account to buy things globally?

..- dot dot dash ;)
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">
Hey freeek

I disagree with you on the bank issue, we all know they're greedy as sin, but exchange control's are set in place by the reserve bank. So, as I see it, this specific issue is out of their hands.

On your question, im with 20twenty, have been since inception (thru curatorship) and have always been able to use the account for overseas purchases. The card you get is basically a mastercard credit card, without credit, if u know what i mean.

Whoop Di Doo Basil...But What Does It All Mean???

[freeek]

hmmmm thats interesting! so I don't have to be 21 and have a fixed job to get this card? and it works just like a credit card?

..- dot dot dash ;)

[VQuest]

<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by freeek</i>
<br />hmmmm thats interesting! so I don't have to be 21 and have a fixed job to get this card? and it works just like a credit card?

..- dot dot dash ;)
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">

If you want a debit card, I suggest Icanonline. It's the same as 20Twenty but the charges are much lower and the interest on your savings will be MUCH higher. Can be used for online purchases too.


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United we stand!
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[rasputyn]

Nope, as long as there are funds available in the account, you can use it to buy stuff! When you are 21 and have a an income, you do have the option of adding a line of credit to the card tho!

Greed is a weapon of mass distruction

[freeek]

hmmm interesting. how are the montly charges? with icanonline its R10 a month and R11 for internet banking but if you have over R10000 in your bank you don't get those charges

..- dot dot dash ;)